Geo-Institute Director’s Cut

S07 E02 - Surya Congress (Michigan State University)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 2 of Season 7, our guest is Surya Congress of Michigan State University, the 2026 Arthur Casagrande Professional Development Award winner!
SHOW NOTES:
- Start learning about dosas here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dosa_(food)
- More info and past winners of the Casagrande Professional Development Award here: https://www.asce.org/career-growth/awards-and-honors/arthur-casagrande-professional-development-award
- The Michigan State University Dairy Store ships pretty much everywhere: https://msudairystore.com/
- And here's the Beal Botanical Garden: https://bealbotanicalgarden.msu.edu/
- There are a lot of Youtube videos where you drive across the Mackinac Bridge - here's a good one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WjQG_QxcEM
- I said Mackinac Island Fudge is a whole thing - it's on the official Michigan tourism page. https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/what-it-takes-to-make-mackinac-island-fudge-where-to-find
- And start here to get your drone license: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S07 E01 - Best Of 2025

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 1 of Season 7, Brad picks the Best of Director's Cut from 2025!
SHOW NOTES:
- Russell Green complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsIqbhzMTCg
- Jon Stewart complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=364qGtdkmzU
- Thierno Kane complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcY5lAn-kd8
- Cal State Fullerton Geo-Wall complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbFzbKBN888
- Adara Getsy complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dYxSSRdvLc
- Mirna Kassem complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A-B4J3apHs
- Vaughan Griffiths complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vujtcovq2pg
- Claudia Zapata complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z80OWc1gEbY
- Kenichi Soga complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKIJ4GPOKxs
- Juan Pestana complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V9qXkl1I2w And the bonus!
Jackie Bronner complete episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BRF-zxWY8E
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S05 E13 - Carlos Santamarina (Georgia Tech)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 13 of Season 5, our guest is Carlos Santamaria of Georgia Tech, the 2014 Terzaghi Lecturer!
SHOW NOTES:
- First up, here's Wayne Clough's Geo-Legends episode, the namesake of Carlos' professorship! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yorOLEKRsYE
- Here's some info about the ASCE Legislative Fly-In if you want to get involved! https://www.asce.org/advocacy/legislative-fly-in
- More great ways to get involved with ASCE Government Relations: https://regions.asce.org/leader-training-committee/sites/regions.asce.org.leader-training-committee/files/GR%20handout%20-%20draft%20vFinal%20web%20version.pdf
- Here's the Carlos playlist from Geotechnica.Online: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm_XdL5VWE_vTndbCoxdRXAubMXNdzhu8
- The Georgia tourism people will tell you why Georgia is amazing in springtime! https://www.exploregeorgia.org/blog/9-reasons-we-love-springtime-in-georgia
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S05 E14 - Diane Moug (Portland State University)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 14 of Season 5, our guest is Diane Moug of Portland State University. Diane is also on the program committees for Geo-EnvironMeet and IFCEE 2024!
SHOW NOTES:
- Yes, this has been the coldest, darkest spring in the DC area in a long time. The sunroom is coming back soon, I promise.
- How to make a poolish! And easy sourdough! https://www.patriciajdavis.com/posts/make-a-poolish-mixture-for-perfectly-easy-sourdough-bread/
- Here's the referenced Matt Evans poolish post: https://twitter.com/TMatthewEvans/status/1772129587419283716
- Here's the T. Rex (with a Stokoe interview as a bonus): https://www.facebook.com/tomscott/videos/this-massive-truck-makes-artificial-earthquakes/1298197937409665/
- More info on Geo-EnvironMeet: https://geoenvironmeet.asce.org/
- More info on USUCGER: https://usucger.org/
- And yes, more info on IFCEE: http://www.ifcee2024.com
- Geotech Tools is here - create your account for FREE! https://www.geoinstitute.org/geotechtools/
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E47 - Beth Gross (Geosyntec)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 47 of Season 6, our guest is Beth Gross of Geosyntec, the 2018-2019 Geo-Institute President!
SHOW NOTES:
- How about this recipe for hot chocolate to get you started? https://celebratingsweets.com/homemade-hot-chocolate/
- Here's Torreya State Park if you want a climb in Florida: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreya-state-park
- And the only Class III rapids in Florida are at Big Shoals State Park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/big-shoals-state-park
- Yup, the EPA has a fact sheet on PFAS: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained
- And a news release on EPA drinking water standards: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-it-will-keep-maximum-contaminant-levels-pfoa-pfos
- Happy Holidays to everyone out there from the Geo-Institute! The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.

S05 E15 - Cal State Fullerton Geo-Wall Team

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 15 of Season 5, our guests are Kelvin Arana, Daniel Santa Maria, Archaela Tadiosa, and Alex Trujillo of Cal State Fullerton. This is the first place team in the 2024 Geo-Wall competition from Geo-Congress 2024 in Vancouver!
SHOW NOTES:
- Info on the Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) at Fullerton is here: https://www.fullerton.edu/projectraise/community-college-students/ure/
- There are about a gazillion rankings of rides at all the Disney parks. Here's a good start: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/ride-rankings-disneyland-california-adventure/
- Daniel's Youtube pick - Practical Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@UCMOqf8ab-42UUQIdVoKwjlQ - Alex's Youtube pick - Kenny Beecham:  @KOT4Q  - Archaela's Youtube pick -  @HannahBayles  - Kelvin's Youtube pick -  @ExpressionsOozing 
- More info on the Geo-Challenge! Look for the rules for the 2025 competition after Labor Day 2024! https://www.geoinstitute.org/students/geochallenge
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E46 - Jon Stewart (UCLA)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 46 of Season 6, our guest is Jon Stewart of UCLA!
SHOW NOTES:
- Find out more about Geotechnical Extreme Event Reconnaissance (GEER) and their reports and work at http://www.geerassociation.org
- Please enjoy this compendium of The Californians episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCer2e0t8r8
- Here's a memorial for Tom Hanks, seismologist: https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/srl/article/96/1/7/648866/Tom-Hanks-A-Remembrance
- All the Geo-Congress info you need at http://www.geocongress.org!
- Learn more about UCLA great Jaime Jaquez: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Jaquez_Jr.
- Happy Holidays to everyone out there from the Geo-Institute!
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E45 - Kam Ng (University of Wyoming)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 45 of Season 6, our guest is Kam Ng of the University of Wyoming and the Geo-Congress 2026 program committee!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's Kam's startup - Carbonado Tech: https://www.carbonadotec.com/
- Here's a quick synopsis of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, in case you don't remember. It was not good. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Asian_financial_crisis
- Get all your info about the upcoming Geo-Congress at http://www.geocongress.org!
- Some AMAZING Malaysian dishes featured here: https://czaplickitravel.eu/malaysian-cuisine/
- Start with this page from the Wyoming Geological Survey for more info on landslides in the state! https://main.wsgs.wyo.gov/hazards/landslides
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.

S06 E44 - Clint Wood (University of Arkansas)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 44 of Season 6, our guest is Clint Wood of the University of Arkansas and the current chair of the G-I Geophysical Engineering Technical Committee!
SHOW NOTES:
- Teams is fickle. Yes, I know something happened with the video and the audio/video sync. If you've got a solution to this, I'm open to suggestions :-D
- Martha Stewart has feelings about when it's acceptable to decorate for Christmas: https://www.marthastewart.com/2220623/when-to-decorate-for-christmas
- Start learning about ground penetrating radar (GPR) here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-penetrating_radar
- The University of Arkansas athletics website lays everything out there on "Woo Pig Sooie." https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/a_proper_hog_call_1514554/
- Here's a walkthrough of Baum-Walker Stadium - get a feel for Arkansas baseball! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMax4TkeX0I
- Of course you can get all your Geo-Congress info and registration at http://www.geocongress.org!
- USGS has you covered with facts on the New Madrid Seismic Zone: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/new-madrid-seismic-zone
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S05 E16 - Lisheng Shao (Malcolm Drilling)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 16 of Season 5, our guest is Lisheng Shao of Malcolm Drilling!
SHOW NOTES:
- AI could help you not text and text while driving! https://www.carscoops.com/2024/01/googles-android-auto-gets-ai-to-answer-texts-while-youre-driving/
- Info and the application for the California Geotechnical Engineer certification! https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/geappintro.shtml
- The report of the 2018 group that visited China to check out ground improvement technologies: https://www.geoinstitute.org/committees/technical-committees/soil-improvement/china-ground-improvement-scan-tour-report
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.